Branch man arrested on vehicular homicide in Christmas day crash

Acadia Parish- A Branch man is in jail for 4th offense DWI and vehicular homicide following a fatal crash on LA Highway 35 north of Rayne.
According to investigating Troopers, on Christmas day at 9:55 p.m., 48-year-old Jody Bourque of Branch was driving a Dodge truck south on LA Highway 35.  An Oldsmobile passenger car driven by 35-year-old Germaine Garrick of Church Point, was driving north on LA Highway 35 approaching Bourque.  For reasons still under investigation Bourque crossed the centerline and struck Garrick’s vehicle head-on.
Garrick was not restrained and died as a result of the crash.  She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Acadia Parish Coroner.  Two passengers in her vehicle, 53-year-old Mary Ann Garrick and 39-year-old Rita Garrick, both of Church Point, were transported to area hospitals.  Mary Ann Garrick was not restrained and sustained severe injures.  Rita Garrick was restrained and sustained minor injures.
Bourque was restrained and was treated at the scene for minor injuries.  Troopers discovered that Bourque was impaired and placed him under arrest.  Bourque had also disabled an ignition interlock device he was required to have installed in his vehicle.
Bourque was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail for DWI 4th Offense, vehicular homicide, two counts of vehicular negligent injuring, disabling an ignition interlock device, driving left of center and reckless operation.  This case remains under investigation.